Hogwarts Express
Harry and the other kids stood by the window, waving enthusiastically as the Hogwarts Express began to pull away from the station. The train's whistle echoed through the air, signaling the start of a new school year and the adventures that awaited them.
As the train picked up speed, Harry glanced back one last time. He could see his mother and father standing with the younger children. Peter, filled with excitement and a touch of sadness, tried to run after the departing train. Toni quickly reached out, gently holding him back to prevent him from chasing it down the platform.
"Bye, Harry! See you soon!" he called out, his voice barely audible over the noise of the train.
Harry smiled and waved back, his heart warming at the sight of his family. "See you, Peter! Take care!" he shouted, hoping his little brother could hear him.
As the Hogwarts Express chugged along the tracks, Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way down the corridor of the train. The bustling atmosphere filled the narrow passageway with the sounds of excited chatter and the occasional hoot of an owl.
Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione. "Should we find a compartment?"
Hermione shook her head, her brow furrowed. "We have to go to the middle carriage for the Prefect meeting first."
The three friends continued down the corridor until they found the compartment Ginny had selected. They carefully stowed their trunks away, making sure everything was secure. "See you later, Ginny," Harry said with a smile, as they bid her farewell and stepped back into the corridor.
As they headed towards the middle carriage, Harry caught sight of a blonde girl with radish earrings entering Ginny's compartment. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her unique appearance, but quickly turned his attention back to Ron and Hermione.
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way to the middle carriage for the Prefect meeting, they passed by various students hurrying to find their compartments.
As they reached the designated carriage, Harry spotted a group of familiar faces. Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass stood together, engaged in a quiet conversation. Nearby, Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott chatted animatedly, their prefect badges gleaming in the light.
Padma Patil was also there, her eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of her fellow prefect. When her gaze landed on Harry, a warm smile spread across her face. Harry couldn't help but smile back. They weren't exactly friends, but their bond had grown closer since Padma helped him secure the Chaser position on the Quidditch team during his second year.
"Hey, Padma," Harry greeted, his smile genuine.
"Hi, Harry," Padma replied, her tone friendly. "Ready for another year?"
"As ready as I'll ever be.”
As the Prefect meeting began, Harry, Ron, and Hermione found seats among the other prefects. Padma leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Did you hear? Cho Chang is the Quidditch Captain this year."
Harry felt a sudden wave of dread wash over him. Cho Chang, the girl he had a crush on for the past two years, now the Quidditch Captain. Memories of the Triwizard Tournament flashed through his mind, the moment he had brought Cedric's lifeless body back to Hogwarts. The thought of facing Cho, especially during Quidditch practices and matches, filled him with an uneasy sense of awkwardness.
His thoughts were interrupted by the Head Boy's voice, addressing the group. "And finally, the fifth years will be traveling in pairs up and down the train for the first few hours of the journey. Greengrass will be with Weasley, Abbott will be with Granger, Patil will be with Macmillan, and Nott and Potter will be together. You will switch partners every hour to learn to work with each other."
Harry stood up and sidled over to Theodore Nott, who was already heading towards the passageway with a look of annoyance. The tall brunette boy huffed as he walked, clearly not thrilled about the pairing. Harry fell into step behind him, doing his best to ignore the awkward tension.
Harry and Theodore walked side by side as they patrolled the train corridor, occasionally stopping to help a first-year or reprimand a group of rowdy students.
The atmosphere was relatively calm until they stumbled upon a scene that made Harry's blood boil. Draco Malfoy and his gang, Crabbe and Goyle, were targeting a group of nervous first-years, their mocking laughter echoing through the corridor. The young students looked terrified, their wide eyes filled with fear as they cowered under Draco's sneering gaze.
Harry and Theodore stepped in without hesitation, positioning themselves between Draco and the first-years. "Leave them alone, Malfoy," Harry said firmly, his eyes blazing with rage.
Draco's smirk faltered as he turned his attention to the two Prefects. His eyes zeroed in on Theodore's Prefect badge, a flash of anger crossing his face. Draco sneered. "Why on earth are you the Prefect, Nott? You don't belong in that position."
Theodore's expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he met Draco's gaze. "Because I earned it, Malfoy. Now back off and leave these first-years alone."
Crabbe and Goyle exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to react to the situation. Draco, however, was not so easily deterred. He took a step closer, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're nothing but a disappointment, Nott. And you, Potter—always meddling where you're not wanted."
Harry stood his ground, his resolve unwavering. "We're Prefects, Malfoy. It's our job to protect the younger students. Now get out of here before we report you."
With a final glare, Draco turned on his heel, motioning for Crabbe and Goyle to follow him. The trio stalked away, their departure leaving a tense silence in their wake.
Theodore sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he turned to the first-years. "Are you all okay?"
The young students nodded, their relief evident. "Thank you," one of them mumbled, gratitude in their voice.
Harry gave them a reassuring smile. "You're welcome. Just stick together and find a compartment. You'll be safe there."
As Harry and Theodore continued their patrol, Harry couldn't help but notice the tension between Nott and Draco. Deciding to address it, he hesitantly spoke up, "Hey, Nott, about what happened back there with Malfoy..."
Before Harry could finish, Theodore whirled around so fast that Harry instinctively took a step back. Nott's eyes blazed with anger as he practically snarled, "Not every Slytherin is like Malfoy and his crew, Potter. I despise my father's past and everything he stood for. I hate him for how he treated my mother and me. I hope he rots in Azkaban and never bothers us again."
The raw emotion in Theodore's voice caught Harry off guard. Nott's expression was a mix of rage and anguish, and Harry could see the pain behind his words. Before Harry could respond, Theodore stormed off, leaving Harry standing there with his heart pounding in his chest.
Feeling a pang of guilt, Harry followed after Nott, struggling to process what he'd just heard. As they approached the designated switching spot, Harry noticed the angry tears in Theodore's eyes.
Hermione and Hannah Abbott were already there, ready to switch partners. Hermione and Abbott exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes widening as they took in the state of the two boys. Without a word, Theodore sidled over to Hermione, clearly eager to get away from the conversation.
Harry and Abbott began their patrol, tension between them. Harry knew that Abbott had been one of those who believed he was the Heir of Slytherin and had worn the "Potter Stinks" badge during the Triwizard Tournament.
Harry and Abbott continued their patrol, walking down a different part of the train than the one Harry and Nott had covered. The corridor was filled with the usual hustle and bustle of students chatting and settling into their compartments.
As they made their way through the train, they encountered a group of Hufflepuffs who greeted Hannah warmly. "Congratulations on becoming a Prefect, Hannah!" one of them said with a bright smile.
Hannah blushed "Thanks, everyone."
The group of friends continued to chat animatedly, but their smiles wavered and their conversation faltered as they noticed Harry standing beside her. The atmosphere grew awkward as they exchanged uncertain glances.
Harry offered a polite nod, understanding the unease. His reputation and the controversies of the past years had made interactions like these a bit challenging.
One of the Hufflepuffs, trying to ease the awkwardness, spoke up. "It's good to see you, Harry. How's your summer been?"
"It's been eventful, to say the least. How about yours?"
The conversation picked up slightly, the initial awkwardness beginning to fade as they shared stories and experiences from their summer break.
As Harry and Hannah continued their patrol, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Hannah, wanting to strike up a friendly conversation, glanced over at Harry and asked, "So, Harry, what happened to the girl you took to the Yule Ball last year? What was her name again?"
Harry smiled, recalling the memory. "Her name is Wanda. I actually saw her over the summer. We had a good time catching up."
Hannah chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I have to say, I didn't expect the events of this summer to happen. Everything's changed so much."
Harry nodded in agreement, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yeah, it feels strange knowing the magical world isn't hidden anymore. It's going to be weird, that's for sure."
After a few moments, Hannah hesitated, glancing at Harry with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Harry," she began tentatively, "what happened between you and Nott earlier? It looked pretty intense."
Harry sighed, recalling the confrontation. "Yeah, it was. Malfoy was picking on some first-years, and Nott and I stepped in to stop him. Things got heated when Malfoy started questioning why Nott was a Slytherin Prefect. Nott got really upset and told me how much he hates his father's past and everything he stood for."
"That sounds tough. It's clear Nott has a lot on his mind."
Harry nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "He mentioned how much he despises his father for how he treated his mother and him. It was clear he's been carrying a lot of anger and pain. I didn't mean to make things worse for him."
Hannah gave him a reassuring smile. "It sounds like Nott's dealing with a lot. Maybe with time, things will get better.”
Over the next few hours, Harry diligently switched partners as their patrol duties required. First, Hannah Abbott was replaced by Daphne Greengrass, their patrol relatively uneventful.
Next, Harry partnered with Ernie Macmillan.They exchanged polite conversation, but never really talked that much.
Finally, it was time for Padma to join Harry on patrol. Their patrol was marked by friendly chatter and a few light-hearted moments as they discussed their upcoming school year and responsibilities.
Around three the Head Boy and Head Girl gathered everyone, announcing that it was time for the sixth years to handle the remaining patrols.
Harry bid goodbye to the rest of the Prefects. Theodore Nott still looked angry and troubled by the earlier confrontation with Draco, his expression tense and guarded.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way back to their compartment, ready to relax after their patrol duties. As they slid the door open, they found Ginny sitting with the blonde-haired girl who seemed vaguely familiar to Harry. It took him a moment to recognize her—Luna Lovegood, a student from Ravenclaw known for her eccentric personality and unique perspective on the world.
"Hey, Ginny," Harry greeted, sliding into the seat beside her. "Hi, Luna."
Luna looked up from her copy of The Quibbler, her wide, dreamy eyes focusing on Harry. "Hello, Harry. It's good to see you."
Ron and Hermione settled in as well. Hermione turned to Harry with a concerned look. "Harry, what happened between you and Nott earlier? You both looked pretty tense."
Harry sighed, recounting the events of their patrol. "We came across Malfoy and his gang picking on some first-years. Nott and I stepped in to stop them, but things got heated when Malfoy started questioning why Nott was the Slytherin Prefect. Nott got really upset and told me how much he hates his father's past and everything he stood for. It was... intense."
Hermione frowned, her brow furrowing in thought. "That sounds difficult. I can understand why Nott would feel that way. It's not easy having a complicated family history."
Ginny, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "I noticed Greengrass is one of the new Prefects too. She seems a bit different from the other Slytherin girls."
Harry nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Daphne was actually quite friendly during our patrol. She didn't seem to have the same attitude as some of the others."
Luna, who had been listening to the conversation with her usual serene expression, chimed in. "People are often more complex than they seem. It's important to look beyond the surface."
Over the course of the next few hours, the compartment was filled with conversation as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna discussed the events that had unfolded over the summer.
Ron shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe a suit of armor managed to expose the wizarding world. It's just... mental."
Hermione huffed and crossed her arms. "Ron, for the last time, 'Ultron' was not just a suit of armor. It was an advanced artificial intelligence—a highly sophisticated AI capable of independent thought and actions."
Ron raised an eyebrow, still not entirely convinced. "Yeah, but it looked like a suit of armor, didn't it?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, but that was just the physical form it took. The real danger was in its AI programming. Ultron had access to vast amounts of information and resources, which made it incredibly powerful and dangerous."
Ginny, listening with keen interest, chimed in. "It’s still hard to wrap my head around how something like that could lead to the magical world being exposed. I mean, we’ve always been so careful to keep it hidden."
Harry suddenly turned to Hermione with urgency in his eyes. "Hermione, I need you to research something for me."
Hermione looked up, curious. "Sure, Harry, what is it?"
Harry took a deep breath before explaining, "When I was at my family's house in Gotham, a man named Steve Rogers was there. Hermione, you won't believe it, but he—"
Hermione's eyes widened in recognition, and she shrieked, "You met Captain America?"
Ron furrowed his brow in confusion. "Captain who?"
Harry, equally puzzled, asked, "Why would he be friends with my mother?"
Hermione huffed, clearly exasperated by Ron's lack of knowledge. "Ron, Captain America is a legendary muggle hero from World War II. Steve Rogers was transformed into a super-soldier and fought against the Nazis. Harry, your grandfather, Howard Stark, was one of the key scientists who helped create Captain America and fought alongside him against HYDRA."
Ron still looked confused. "What's HYDRA?"
Ginny, rolling her eyes, jumped in. "HYDRA is like the muggle equivalent of Grindelwald's army. They're a secret organization that tried to take over the world during World War II and beyond."
Hermione nodded in agreement, adding, "Exactly. Howard Stark and Captain America were crucial in stopping HYDRA's plans. It's no surprise that Steve Rogers would be acquainted with your family, Harry."
Harry sat back, trying to process the new information. "So my family has a history with Captain America. That explains a lot. Thanks, Hermione."
Hermione smiled, clearly pleased to help. "Anytime, Harry. I'll look into more details for you."
As their conversation continued, Harry couldn't help but reflect on the peculiarities of his family life in Gotham. "You know, while I was in Gotham, I noticed some strange things about my family."
Ron leaned forward, intrigued. "What do you mean, strange things?"
Harry took a deep breath and explained, "My brother Dick and my father would vanish at all times during the night and then reappear early in the morning. It was like clockwork, every night."
Ron snorted, trying to stifle a laugh. "Wait, your brother's name is really Dick?"
Both Harry and Hermione ignored Ron's comment, their focus remaining on the topic at hand. "Harry, there have been rumors for years that your family supplies gear to the Vigilantes in Gotham."
Harry raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Seriously? I mean, I always thought there was more to it, but I never imagined it was something like that."
Hermione nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yes, it's said that they provide equipment and support to the city's Vigilantes, helping them fight crime and keep Gotham safe. It would explain a lot about their nighttime activities."
Harry leaned forward "You know, I swear I saw Peter climbing the manor walls with just his hands and feet. It was like he was sticking to the walls or something."
"Harry, you might have imagined it, but if you didn't, Peter could be a mutant or a human mutate."
Both Ron and Harry looked baffled, exchanging confused glances. "Mutant? Human mutate? What are those?" Ron aske.
Hermione huffed in exasperation. "Do either of you ever pay attention to the news? Mutants are individuals who are born with genetic mutations that give them extraordinary abilities. Human mutates, on the other hand, are people who gain superpowers or enhanced abilities through external factors, like scientific experiments or accidents."
Harry's mind raced as he tried to process the information. "So, you think Peter could have some kind of genetic mutation or have undergone some experiment?"
Hermione shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "It's possible. There have been numerous reports of people with extraordinary abilities in the muggle world. It could explain what you saw."
Harry shook his head "I refuse to believe that my parents would allow any of us to be experimented on. They're incredibly protective, especially of the younger ones. They would never let anything like that happen."
Ron shuddered at the thought, then glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. "That black-haired girl, though... she creeps me out. It's like she can stare right into your soul."
Hermione, clearly not amused by Ron's comment, thumped him on the arm. "Ron, that's not fair. Cassandra is just observant and perceptive. You don't have to make her out to be some kind of creepy figure."
Ron rubbed his arm, looking annoyed. "I'm just saying, she gives me the chills. It's like she's always watching."
Ginny rolled her eyes "Ron, she's a kid. She's probably just curious about everything.”
Before anyone could say another word, the train gradually slowed down, eventually coming to a halt. The compartment's occupants glanced out the window and saw the familiar sights of Hogsmeade station coming into view. However, something was different this time. A group of tourists, clearly muggles, were busily taking pictures of the village and the Hogwarts Express.
Ron let out a sighe "I can't wait for things to go back to normal," he said, watching the muggle tourist group with a hint of exasperation.
As the group exited the train and joined the throng of students making their way onto the platform, Harry couldn't help but notice that Hagrid wasn't at his usual spot, guiding the first-years towards the boats. The absence of the towering, friendly figure added to the sense of unease that had settled over him.
Harry glanced up at the majestic silhouette of Hogwarts Castle, its turrets and towers standing proud against the evening sky. The familiar sight should have brought him comfort, but instead, he felt a pang of uncertainty. The events of the summer had changed so much, and he couldn't shake the feeling that things would never be the same again.